Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$28,800 (2021 annual)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 yearsLocation
Melbourne City
Overview
Make a sustainable career move
Build a career with impact as a designer or engineer on energy efficient, resource smart and sustainable built environment that supports health and well-being.

What you will learn
Delve into the complexities of creating sustainable futures and advance your knowledge and technical skills to deliver energy efficient and sustainable buildings.

Details
Delve into the complexities of creating sustainable futures. Advance your knowledge and technical skills to deliver energy efficient and sustainable buildings through a comprehensive understanding of the context, principles and practice of environmentally sustainable design.
In an increasingly urbanised world, shifting environmental priorities have placed sustainability in the spotlight.
A widening skills gap across industry means the demand for skilled professionals in energy efficient and sustainable building practices is on the rise.
In response to this industry demand, this Master's degree will provide you with the essential skills and theory to design, develop and implement solutions for new and retrofitted buildings and sustainable built environment.
Your studies will prepare you to navigate the complex and rapidly changing environment of industry issues, trends, and economic and sustainability policies. You will get hands on experience in sustainability assessment tools and software used in the design and planning process.
You will enhance your abilities to professionally communicate complex sustainability strategies and engage effectively within interdisciplinary teams to drive project outcomes and improve sustainability practice.
You will graduate with specialist knowledge of sustainable building design and technoYou will enhance your abilities to professionally communicate complex sustainability strategies and engage effectively within interdisciplinary teams to drive project outcomes and improve sustainability practice.logies, building energy and climate engineering, and the management of sustainable building projects.
This program is designed to apply theory through practice as you critically respond to industry issues and trends, as well as economic and sustainability policy needs by the governments.
Guest seminars and industry guidance will inform your learning as you work through real-world case studies and develop a final-year project.
This Master’s degree has been designed in response to a current skills gap in the energy efficient and sustainable building sector.
Developed in consultation with industry, the degree aligns closely with current industry needs. Consulting bodies on the program remain actively involved in your learning, providing guest seminars and insight into final-year projects.
Choose a program structure
Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Master of Energy Efficient and Sustainable Building | City Campus |
2 Years Full Time/4 Years Part Time
|
2 Years Full Time
|
MC209 | 084668E |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC209
Career
Work as an executive-level manager, designer or engineer on energy efficient and sustainable building projects and developments.
Work in the public and private sectors as environmental sustainability officers, capital project managers, sustainability coordinators, facilities management officers and assets managers.
Apply technical design and project management expertise across specialist areas including:
- environmentally sustainable design (ESD)
- building sustainability assessment
- facilities management
- energy management
- sustainable construction management
- building energy engineering
- facade engineering
- building physics
- building services engineering
The skills you learn in your master's degree will also equip you to work in engineering consultancy, architectural design, building equipment manufacturing, property and infrastructure development, and other sectors related to the built environment.
Admissions
- successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a discipline that demonstrates knowledge and skills in construction, technology, engineering, management, architecture or design
OR
- have significant work experience or professional practice related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction. As a guide, significant experience would generally be a minimum of three years of experience in middle to upper management roles that related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction.
To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement that demonstrates your academic foundation for masters study. This may include details on how your professional experiences relates to the program, demonstration of critical thinking in personal and/or professional practice, and communication and problem solving skills.
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) in a discipline that demonstrates knowledge and skills in construction, technology, engineering, management, architecture or design; OR
- Significant work experience or professional practice related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction
- As a guide, significant experience would generally be a minimum of three years of experience in middle to upper management roles that related to energy efficiency, sustainability or building and construction
Entry requirements
To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:
- a CV
- a statement that details your experience
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Credits and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University’s Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Students may be eligible for credit transfer for previous study in a qualification at AQF level 8 or above, such as a graduate certificate, graduate diploma, or bachelor honours degree.
Students may be eligible for exemptions from some courses in the program where they have completed an AQF level 7 or higher qualification in one of the following disciplines: construction management, project management, architecture, landscape architecture and engineering.
The table below shows the amount of exemptions that may be available for study in the one of the above disciplines.
Qualification level |
Exemptions |
Remaining program duration |
---|---|---|
Bachelor Degree |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Bachelor Honours Degree |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semester full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Graduate Certificate |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Graduate Diploma |
96 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Fees
2021 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$28,800.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2021 is AU$41,280.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$82,560.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.